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Today: 11 am TV: SportsNet. Radio: 630 CHED
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WHY WATCH
Chasing some individual highlights:
Connor McDavid is in a race with Jonathan Huberdeau for his fourth Art Ross trophy as the NHL’s top point producer. He has back-to-back three-point games. And Leon Draisaitl has 54 goals, one back of Glenn Anderson who had 55 twice during the Oilers’ glory days. Draisaitl is trying to catch Auston Matthews for the Maurice Richard trophy.
POINT LEADERS
EDMONTON OILERS
GP GA PT PLUS/MINUS
Connor McDavid 77 43 73 116 +27
Leon Draisaitl 77 54 53 107 +19
Zach Hyman 72 25 26 51 -8
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Patrick Laine 56 26 30 56 -7
Jake Voracek 75 5 51-15
Oliver Bjorkstrand 76 24 26 50 -36
EDMONTON OILERS
PP 25.6 4th PK 79.3 18th
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
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PP 17.7 24th PK 78.9 20th
THREE THINGS ABOUT BLUE JACKETS
1. With Canadian world junior forward Kent Johnson leaving U of Michigan a couple of weeks ago, they are playing Johnson and Cole Sillinger on the same line. Johnson was the fifth player picked in 2021 draft and Sillinger was No. 12. Sillinger, son of long-time NHL forward Mike Sillinger, made the team out of training camp.
2. Jack Roslovic reached 20 goals for the first time with his goal Friday against Ottawa. The former Winnipeg Jets forward, part of the Laine for Pierre-Luc Dubois trade last season, has eight goals in his last six games, the eight snipes in only 16 shots. Roslovic’s high was 12 goals before this breakout in the last month.
3. With Zach Werenski hurt, U of Michigan captain Nick Blankenburg, has been a strong addition after he signed as a college free-agent. The defenseman played 21 and-a-half minutes against Ottawa with five shots and was on their second power play. He was also sent out for the first shift of the three-on-three against the Senators along with Roslovic and Gus Nyqvist.
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2. Makar and Nashville’s Roman Josi are waging a mighty battle to see who will win the Norris trophy as top defenseman. Josi, who has one Norris already, and Makar, looking for his first, are separated by five points with Josi at 89. Makar is the more dynamic player with a better supporting cast, Josi is Mr. Everything for Nashville.
3. Kuemper has quietly been a saving machine in net. He’s won 36 games and only Juuse Saros and Sergei Bobrovsky have more Ws and his .924 save percentage is second best amongst goalies who have played at least 50 games. Only Rangers Igor Shesterkin (9.36) is better. Kuemper has five shutouts, no. 4 in the NHL.
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